5 with appeal for Feb. 1

When Grady the Groundhog left his den for a stroll around the Classroom on the Meadow at Chimney Rock State Park on Groundhog Day 2012, the sun was shining and tradition says that means six more weeks of winter weather ahead. Grady will emerge Saturday to predict this year’s weather.

PATRICK SULLIVAN/FILE

Blueridgenow.com

Published: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 10:08 a.m.

1. Will Western North Carolina have six more weeks of winter? Or is spring just around the corner? Cast your vote on whether Grady the Groundhog will see his shadow on Saturday at Chimney Rock State Park online at chimneyrockpark.com.

Grady will reveal his prediction at 11 a.m. when he emerges from his den at the Classroom on the Meadows, where children can learn more about groundhogs and get an up-close look at Grady. The Groundhog Day event is free with park admission: $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 5 to 15. Call 800-277-9611 for more information.

2. Chase away the midwinter blahs with a dose of the blues on Saturday at the Tryon Fine Arts Center's fundraiser, Chase Away the Blues. Doors open at 5 p.m., and seven acts will play nonstop music in three venues within the building at 34 Melrose Ave. until 11:30 p.m.

Basic tickets are $25, and the $75 VIP ticket includes food and drinks in the private "VIP lounge" in Gallery I. Proceeds will benefit programming at TFAC. To attend, call 828-859-8322 or visit www.tryonarts.org.

3. Flat Rock Playhouse will kick off its 2013 Music on the Rock series on Wednesday with the debut of "A Tribute to Dolly Parton." The show features Erin Mosher, who has been a favorite with Flat Rock Playhouse audiences since the Music on the Rock series began in 2010.

Performances are set for 8 p.m. Wednesday-Feb. 9 and Feb. 13-16 at the Playhouse Downtown, 125 S. Main St. Tickets are $24. Call 828-693-0731 or visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org to make a reservation.

4. Letters to Abigail, a three-piece string band from Hendersonville, comes home to perform at Southern Appalachian Brewery tonight at 8. The band is made up of songwriter James Harrell on acoustic guitar and vocals, songwriter and vocalist Kelli Redmond and Lauren Bandy on upright bass and back-up vocals.

Southern Appalachian Brewery is at 822 Locust St. Phone 828-684-1235 for more information.

5. The Jeff Sipe Trio will perform at 8 tonight at the 185 King Street music venue in Brevard. A renowned percussionist, Sipe performs regularly in jazz, rock, folk and bluegrass ensembles, and he made his mark as a fusion drummer with The Aquarium Rescue Unit. He has performed and recorded with Bela Fleck, Keller Williams, Leftover Salmon, John McLaughlin, Phil Lesh, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and Jeff Coffin. As the Jeff Sipe Trio, he tours with guitarist Mike Seal and bassist Taylor Lee.

Tickets for the 185 King Street performance are $5 for non-members. Call 828-877-1850 or visit 185kingst.com for more information.

<p>1. Will Western North Carolina have six more weeks of winter? Or is spring just around the corner? Cast your vote on whether Grady the Groundhog will see his shadow on Saturday at Chimney Rock State Park online at chimneyrockpark.com. </p><p>Grady will reveal his prediction at 11 a.m. when he emerges from his den at the Classroom on the Meadows, where children can learn more about groundhogs and get an up-close look at Grady. The Groundhog Day event is free with park admission: $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 5 to 15. Call 800-277-9611 for more information.</p><p>2. Chase away the midwinter blahs with a dose of the blues on Saturday at the Tryon Fine Arts Center's fundraiser, Chase Away the Blues. Doors open at 5 p.m., and seven acts will play nonstop music in three venues within the building at 34 Melrose Ave. until 11:30 p.m. </p><p>Basic tickets are $25, and the $75 VIP ticket includes food and drinks in the private "VIP lounge" in Gallery I. Proceeds will benefit programming at TFAC. To attend, call 828-859-8322 or visit www.tryonarts.org.</p><p>3. Flat Rock Playhouse will kick off its 2013 Music on the Rock series on Wednesday with the debut of "A Tribute to Dolly Parton." The show features Erin Mosher, who has been a favorite with Flat Rock Playhouse audiences since the Music on the Rock series began in 2010. </p><p>Performances are set for 8 p.m. Wednesday-Feb. 9 and Feb. 13-16 at the Playhouse Downtown, 125 S. Main St. Tickets are $24. Call 828-693-0731 or visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org to make a reservation.</p><p>4. Letters to Abigail, a three-piece string band from Hendersonville, comes home to perform at Southern Appalachian Brewery tonight at 8. The band is made up of songwriter James Harrell on acoustic guitar and vocals, songwriter and vocalist Kelli Redmond and Lauren Bandy on upright bass and back-up vocals. </p><p>Southern Appalachian Brewery is at 822 Locust St. Phone 828-684-1235 for more information.</p><p>5. The Jeff Sipe Trio will perform at 8 tonight at the 185 King Street music venue in Brevard. A renowned percussionist, Sipe performs regularly in jazz, rock, folk and bluegrass ensembles, and he made his mark as a fusion drummer with The Aquarium Rescue Unit. He has performed and recorded with Bela Fleck, Keller Williams, Leftover Salmon, John McLaughlin, Phil Lesh, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and Jeff Coffin. As the Jeff Sipe Trio, he tours with guitarist Mike Seal and bassist Taylor Lee. </p><p>Tickets for the 185 King Street performance are $5 for non-members. Call 828-877-1850 or visit 185kingst.com for more information.</p>